Spurs Love Dylan Harper, But De'Aaron Fox Trade Presents $228.6 Million Worth of Problems

I thought it was weird that right in the middle of the San Antonio Spurs fight to get to the NBA Finals, the idea of them trading their second-most-recognizable star would become a storyline.

It's a bit less weird now.

And there are a couple of reasons for that.

One is the rapid maturation of Dylan Harper, the rookie point guard who, after his work in these playoffs - capped of course by an NBA Finals appearance vs. the eventual champs from New York -  looks ready to start now.

And the other is some possible level of disappointment in the veteran De'Andre Fox.

We are seeing an assortment of trade suggestions now involving Fox, who does indeed seem expendable; one is urging the Spurs to trade Fox with a first-rounder (the No. 20 overall selection) attached in order to add talent at other positions.

On paper, there is nothing wrong with hitting the accelerator on roster-building in San Antonio. This season changed expectations. Victor Wembanyama has already emerged as one of the league’s most dominant two-way players, while Harper’s development reportedly has the organization believing he is ready for a major role sooner rather than later. 

But there is another sort of "paper'' that creates an obstacle here.

"Paper'' as in "money.''

Fox’s remaining cap hits:

2026-27: $49,800,000

2027-28: $53,784,000

2028-29: $57,768,000

2029-30: $61,752,000

That's $228.6 million reasons for a bidder to think twice here.

To some, trading Fox would not be a simple decision because veteran guards with playoff experience are difficult to replace, and San Antonio has benefited from having another established creator alongside its younger players.

At the same time, Fox put forth just enough brain cramps in the Finals to create some doubt in his BBIQ value.

Ultimately, the Spurs remain in one of the strongest positions in the NBA. They have young stars, extra draft assets and flexibility. Whether they keep the pick or use it in a blockbuster move, the franchise appears positioned to stay in the Western Conference race for years to come.

Can they improve that position with a major move?